Our Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are incredibly creamy, and fluffy. Once you try them, you won't need any other recipe. We also include the instructions to make our light and fluffy buttermilk mashed potatoes on the stovetop.
Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- The combo of tangy buttermilk with sour cream, and melting butter makes the richest and mouth-watering taters ever.
- All you need for these Instant Pot Buttermilk mashed potatoes are a few basic ingredients.
- These potatoes have a creamy consistency and the perfect side dish to any main dish.
🧾 Ingredient List
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes- starchy potatoes which are great for mashed potatoes.
- yellow onion - adds flavor to the mash.
- bay leaf -add another layer of flavor.
- buttermilk - gives a nice tang to the mashed potatoes.
- unsalted butter - use unsalted to control the salt and butter makes everything better.
- sour cream - I use low-fat. Regular can be used. It adds creaminess to the mash.
- salt and black pepper - seasons and adds flavor.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary as a garnish
🍲 Equipment
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: Into the vessel of the Instant Pot add the potatoes, onion, bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon of salt and black pepper. Close lid and close valve. Set pressure to high and set timer for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Allow a natural release for 5 minutes. Then turn the valve to auto-release. Once complete, hit cancel and open the lid. Discard the bay leaf. Drain water from the potatoes. Keep potatoes in the Instant Pot vessel.
Step 3: Add the buttermilk, sour cream, butter, and remaining salt and black pepper to the potatoes.
Step 4: Add the buttermilk, sour cream, butter, and remaining salt and black pepper to the potatoes.
Step 6: Use a hand masher to mash potatoes till smooth. If needed a little more buttermilk to get a light and fluffy consistency
Step 7: Taste the potatoes and, if needed, season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Step 8: Taste the potatoes and, if needed adjust the seasonings. Keep warm until ready to serve.
👩🏻🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success
- Use a potato masher or ricer for best results.
- Some suggest an emulsion blender or hand mixer but I find the potato masher or ricer gives the lightest, fluffy potatoes.
- These potatoes will give you the creamiest mashed potatoes that will be a hit with everyone.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.
- Add 4 slices of chopped cooked bacon to the potatoes once they are mashed.
- Use a peeled chopped shallot instead of the yellow onion.
- Add 2 teaspoons of horseradish to the finished potatoes for a kick of heat.
- Blend in 8 ounces of your favorite cheese into the finished taters, such as Gruyere, Blue Cheese, or Cheddar.
- Instead of milk, use heavy cream for special occasions.
❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Leftovers: Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in a covered airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer Instructions: Leftovers can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
I usually prepare 8 ounces per person for mashed potatoes. So 4 people, 1 pound, 6 people 3 pounds, etc.
Yes. You can put the finished potatoes in a baking dish or an aluminum pan. Cover either pan with foil and place in the oven at 300°F/150°C for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are warmed through.
Use starchy potatoes such as Russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes for the best results.
Once the potatoes are made and mashed, they can keep warm in the Instant Pot for about 2 hours.
The Instant Pot has a warm setting. You can keep the potatoes warm in the vessel by pressing the warm button. They will stay warm for a few hours ahead of time.
I use low-fat ingredients when possible to reduce calories. Full-fat buttermilk and sour cream can be used in these potatoes.
Absolutely, use regular milk and add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to every cup of milk.
For this recipe, I use about ⅓ cup of milk so use about ¼ -½ teaspoon of white vinegar to the milk.
Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using it in the potatoes. You can also use plain milk, a slightly different taste but still delicious!
🥣 Serving Suggestions
Some of my favorite recipes to serve this instant pot mashed potato recipe with would be our Roasted Turkey Breast with a Bourbon Maple Glaze or our Pecan Praline Glazed Ham.
These creamy potatoes would be delicious paired with pork chops and sauerkraut.
Marinated drumsticks are a staple in my house and buttermilk mashed potatoes would be the perfect side dish.
Irish Bangers are the perfect main dish for these buttermilk mashed potatoes.
Swedish Meatballs make these delicious meatballs and you have a great meal with these Instant Pot mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast is a fantastic set-and-forget dinner that would be perfect served with these buttermilk mashed potatoes.
Check out all our Instant Pot recipes here
🍽 Similar recipes
Next time, try our crispy roasted potatoes or our garlic roasted red potatoes.
Another great option is homemade mashed potatoes. My Granny's recipe is the best.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are so easy to prepare in the pressure cooker. Quick and easy.
Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes is another great recipe to try.
Check out all our potato recipes here.
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Keep up to date with recipes by following me on:
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TWITTER
Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Save the Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!
Instant Pot Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Russet Potatoes peeled and sliced in quarters
- 1 medium yellow onions peeled and diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 4-6 cups water Note 2
- ⅓ cup low-fat buttermilk Note 3
- 4 teaspoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup low-fat sour cream Note 3
- 2 teaspoon salt divided
- 2 teaspoon black pepper divided
Instructions
Instant Pot Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
- Into the vessel of the Instant Pot add the potatoes, onion, bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon of salt and black pepper. Close lid and close valve. Set pressure to high and set timer for 5 minutes. The timer will go off when cooking is complete.
- Let the instant pot do a natural release for 5 minutes. Then turn the valve to auto-release. Once complete, hit cancel and open the lid. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Drain water from the potatoes. Keep potatoes in the Instant Pot vessel.
- In a microwavable bowl, add the buttermilk and warm in the microwave for about 40-50 seconds to warm the buttermilk.
- To the potato mixture add the buttermilk, sour cream, butter, and remaining salt and black pepper to the potatoes.
- Use a hand masher to mash potatoes till smooth. If needed a little more buttermilk to get a light and fluffy consistency
- Taste the potatoes and, if needed reseason with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve. Optional garnish, serve with butter, chopped herbs such as chives, parsley, or rosemary.
Stovetop Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
- In a large pot over medium heat add enough water to cover the potatoes.
- Add in the peeled and cut potatoes, diced onion, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, place the lid on the pot and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes. Potatoes will be fork tender.
- Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Use a colander to drain the potatoes.
- Place potatoes back into the pot and set on the stove over medium heat for about 30 seconds to dry any excess water on the potatoes. Remove the pot from the heat.
- In a microwavable bowl, add the buttermilk and warm in the microwave for about 40-50 seconds to warm the buttermilk.
- To the potatoes add the warmed buttermilk, sour cream, butter, remaining salt, and pepper.
- Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until a smooth creamy texture. If needed add a little more buttermilk to get the smooth creamy texture in the potatoes. Taste for seasoning, if needed, reseason. Ready to serve with butter chives, optional garnish.
- Keep warm in a 250°F/121°C oven in a covered dish until ready to serve.
NOTES
- I am not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes
Kristin
I've been wanting to try making mashed potatoes in the instant pot so that it would free up my stovetop for other things. I'm so glad I found this recipe! These turned out delicious and they were easy to make. The entire family devoured them and I didn't even have any leftovers!
Shelby
My mom said the same thing your granny said and I was always afraid of pressure cooking until I got the instant pot! When I saw this recipe had buttermilk I knew I had to make it because I had extra in the fridge. Best potatoes we had in a long long time! I love the flavor the buttermilk gave the potatoes and could have stood over the pot with a spoon eating just potatoes for dinner!
Lisa
You had me at 30 minutes! And i love the tangy flavor from the buttermilk.
Colleen
Love the idea of making these in the IP to save oven space on holidays. What do you think about adding in a few cloves of garlic?
Christina Bravo-Garcia
I don't have an instant pot can I boil the potatoes
Eileen xo
Hi Christina, absolutely, you can boil the potatoes. The instructions for stovetop are in the recipe. Enjoy the potatoes, we love this recipe.
Kelley
These turned out wonderful! I love that I can make them so quick now!
Eileen xo
Fabulous! Happy the recipe has worked for you and I agree, it's easy and delicious!
Sandra
My Grandmother had one of "those" old fashioned, risk your life pressure cookers, too! She also put lots and lots of butter on top of her mashed potatoes... they were delicious! Thanks for showing me how to make them in an Instant Pot, I'll never make it another way.
Eileen xo
It has to be a Grandmother thing. Sandra, I am happy you love these mashed potatoes! Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sandra
My Grandmother had one of "those" pressure cookers, too! AND she put loads of butter on top of her mashed potatoes. I LOVED them! Thanks for showing me how to make them in an Instant Pot!
Eileen xo
So you know what I mean about those old-style cookers ? I’m happy you enjoyed the potatoes.
Whitney
That onion truly is a killer secret ingredient! These potatoes had the perfect flavor and texture, impressive!
Eileen xo
I agree the onions add amazing flavor! My Granny always said they made the potatoes better.
Ellen
Mashed potatoes are my favorite part of Thanksgiving! These really are so fluffy and creamy!
Eileen xo
I so agree Ellen. Enjoy the potatoes!
Shari Lynne Dominick
Drooling here! I have to admit...I've never used my instant pot for mashed potatoes...that's. got. to. change! YUM!
Eileen xo
I hope you give this a go. The potatoes always come out great!
Tammy F
These potatoes were just like you said fluffy and creamy. It really helped to make them in the instant pot
Eileen xo
Excellent Tammy, enjoy!
Sue Kline
These mashed potatoes were delicious! So creamy and everyone loved them.
Eileen xo
My Granny would be so happy. I know I am, enjoy the spuds.
Gina R
I liked these potatoes. They were better than I thought they’d be. Family liked them a lot
Eileen xo
I am happy you enjoyed the potatoes Gina! A family favorite!
Maman de sara
The addition of onion and buttermilk in my opinion make the recipe great.
Eileen xo
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoy the mashed potatoes!
Mimi
Yummy potatoes that are hard to beat! They look fabulous and are so inviting that I just need to get everything ready for cooking ASAP! 🙂
Eileen xo
Excellent Mimi, enjoy the mashed potatoes!
April
I have always been a fan of mashed potatoes so I am super excited about Isntant Pot version of the recipe. Something I haven't had yet but definitely would love to try! Looks absolutely stunning!
Eileen xo
Thank you April! I hope you enjoy my recipe over and over!
Heather
I have been trying to use my Instant Pot more often nowadays but have been at a loss for recipe ideas. What a great idea to make mashed potatoes in it! I am buying some potatoes this week! 🙂
Eileen xo
Great Heather! I hope you enjoy the recipe! These mashed potatoes are so easy and taste great!
Amanda
I love that these mashed potatoes use buttermilk. It adds such great flavor. This recipe is definitely a new favorite. Thanks for sharing!
Eileen xo
Thank you Amanda! I am so happy you enjoy the instant pot mashed potato recipe!
Jacqueline Debono
I love mashed potatoes and this recipe sounds delicious with the addition of sour cream, buttermilk, onions and a bay leaf! I usually only add milk and butter! I don't have an IP but will make my next mashed potatoes with your ingredients!
Eileen xo
Awesome jacqueline, I hope you enjoy these mashed potatoes! The little extras really add flavor!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This is a great recipe! I love the onions and the bay leaf addition because it adds so wonderfully to the flavor!
Eileen xo
Thank you, I agree the onion and bay leaf are great for flavor!
Danielle Wolter
I just made instant pot mashed potatoes this weekend - they are so easy and convenient. I love that you used buttermilk in this recipe - i'll have to try that next time!
Eileen xo
Buttermilk adds a nice flavor to the potatoes! I hope you enjoy Danielle!
Gloria
I am a potato lover. These look perfect for the holiday table. Smooth, creamy and so inviting for gravy!!
Eileen xo
I agree, potatoes are a favorite for me too! Love potatoes with gravy!
Kelly Anthony
I love a good mashed potato recipe especially when it can be done in under 15 minutes. Thank you for sharing!
Eileen xo
Thank you Kelly! These taters are amazing!
Stine Mari
This instant pot mashed potatoes recipe looks so flavorful and delicious. And I think it's great to develop recipes with sentimental value, we need more of them!
Eileen xo
I agree Stine! These are for my Granny xo!
wilhelmina
This is such a great no fuss way to make mashed potatoes!
Eileen xo
Thank you Wilhelmina! Enjoy the potatoes!
Sarah Averett
I’m still an IP newbie, but these were so easy to make! And they were super creamy! Thanks so much for the recipe.